Semiautomatic self-feed and selfcoiling snake tool



l. D. YOHN pril 14, 19364.

sgMIAUToMATIc SABLE' FEED AND SELF cvoILING SNAKE TooiJ Fledoct urla'.uw

Pa'fentedApr. 14, i936 SEMIAUTOMATIQSLF-FED AND. SELF- COILING SNAKETOOLV Ira D. Yohn,l Los Angeles, Calif.

Application October 2l, 1931, Serial No. 570,151

. 21 Claims.

My invention relates to cleaning devices, and more particularly tosuchdevices as are used in cleaning clogged drains of sinks, toilets andthe like, although in its broader Ilaspects is not to be limited tosuch; said device when it is operated `will not mar or soil floors,furniture or the xtures with which said device is to be used, or becomeillled with extraneous material, such as dirt, rubbish and the likewhena. drain is treated underneath buildings, obviating the `cleaningthereof after use, as isthe case with known devices for a similarpurpose. It is moreover unnecessary at any time for the hands of theoperator to touch the cleaning means or member, such as is neces- :saryin devices heretofore proposed, nor does such means become kink'ed whilein use, all such .deleterious effects being effectively overcome.

It accordingly is an object ofmy invention' to provide a novel form ofcleaning device in which in any way. i

a cleaning means, such as a snake of vany *preferred length, andequipped upon one' end with a suitable cleaning tool, either ofconventional or novel form, is adapted for rotation in forward orreverse direction to provide a forward and retractive movement of saidtool, to the end that said snake be fed either semi-automatically, ormanually into and out of a drain, said snake being coiled or uncoiled,at any preferred speed, means being provided for this purpose, saiddevice being also equipped with means whereby it may be used eithervertically such as when applied to a. sink or toilet, or horizontallywhen used inother relations, such' as below a building.

It is also withinl the province of my invention to provide a novel formof 'self feeding mechanism consisting of a plural part structure,capable of manual adjustment, to the end that the same may be positionedabout the cleaning means, and may optionally be used or not, as inpractice preferred.

or needed.

A still'further object of my invention is to' provide a manualfeeding/device for the cleaning means, cnprising a plural part structureadapted to be secured to said cleaning means so said means, ifdesired,'may be fed at a faster speed, or adjusted so it may be renderedslidable thereon. It is also within the province of my invention toequip my novel device with a protective means constructed ofsuitable'materlal, so that when said device isused, in connection withporcelain sinks or toilets, or highly polishedmetal, said porcelain ormetal will not be marred or damaged t The above, and further objectsandadvantages loi? my invention, kaswill hereinafter more fully i zontalposition.

Describing my invention more in detail, in its appear, I attain by theconstruction describedin the specification, and illustrated on thedrawing,y

forming a part of vmy application.-` Y

Reference is had to the accompanying 'draw-1l ing, in which similarreference characters denote:

similar parts. In the drawing, 1

Fig. 1 is a. perspective view showing one pra`ctical application of myinvention, illustratingv how-v the invention maybe applied to the washbowl of a bathroom to clean the drain pipe,

Fig. 2 isa somewhat enlargedv cross-sectional y view, taken on the line2-2, Fig. 1, a Fig. 3- is a front elevational view of the device,looking inthe direction of the arrow 3, Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged. fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on theline 4-4, Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows, J

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view, taken on the line 55, Fig.3, looking in the "direction of the arrows, I

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional vie'w taken through the manualfeeding device, said device being illustrated in operative position onthe cleaning means,

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional viewillustrating howthe cleaning means or snake is anchored to the casing in which it iscoiled or uncoiled,

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on' theline 8 9, Fig. 2,

Fig. 9 is a similar view, taken on the line 9-9, Fig. 2, and

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view, illustrating how theinvention may be used in a horibroader aspects said invention comprisesa novel form of device adapted to be vused. both horizontally andvertically, or. in an angular position.

Said device consists of a suitable framework with which is mounted forrotation, a suitable cleaning means or snake, adapted for reciprocation,that is, a forward and reverse movement, either oi conventional or novelform. Said cleaning means has positioned on one end thereof a suitabletool which 'may be inserted in a drain or 'the like and reciprocated androtated to clean such drain.

More specifically, my invention ncomprises a suitable 'framework' 2,which may be of-any de sired shape, and constructed of any preferredmaterial, which framework 2 may be considered stationary withY respectto a movable framework 4, suitably mounted for rotation within saidstationaryframework 2, any vsuitable means, such as the crank 6 beingprovided lfoi-:rotating said curled portion I (Fig. 2, moreparticularly) may be provided, to be` engaged by the finger of theoperator to provide diierent leverage so that the speed of rotation ofsaid rotary framework, and its adjuncts, to be presently described, maybe .vided with antan varied. It ywill, of course, be understood that anyother preferred means for accomplishing said rotation may be substitutedfor that just described.

Any suitable bearings I2 may be provided for the rotation oftheframework 4 with respect to the stationary framework 2, and mountedfor rotation with the framework 4 is a preferably circular casing I4,constructed of suitable material,

and secured to said rotary framework in any preferred way as by astationary shaft I6 (Figs. 2 and 3), secured to the framework 4 inv anysuitable way, as by the nut and bearing assembly '|6.

The casing I4 is adapted to house the cleaning means or snake 20,provided upon one end with a suitable cleaning tool or device 22, saidsnake 26 being preferably secured or anchoredinternally of said casingby any suitable means, such as the clamp 24 '(Fig. 7, moreparticularly), said snake 2|I- extending through a suitable guide tube26,

preferably extending within'the casing I4 (Fig. 2,

to the rotatable framework 4 by the screw collar more particularly),said guide tube 26 being anchored to the shaft I6 by any suitable means,such as the clamp or strap 26 by means of a screw bolt 30 (Fig. 4) saidguide tube 26 being anchored and annulus assembly 32 (Fig. 9).

The guide tube 261s preferably bent to extend in an arc around the axisof the casing I4 as shown in Figure 3. 'I'his avoids the delivery of thesnake4 20 from the guide tube on a radius of the casing and therebyprevents kinking of the snake in the casing.

Any suitable mounting 34 for the framework 2 may be provided, which maybe of skeleton or other form, and may be secured to the framework.

2 in any preferred way, as indicated by theflange and bolt assembly 36(Fig. 3), any suitable material 36, such as felt, leather, rubber or thelike being provided on the outer end of said mounting 34 to preventmarring, scratching or damaging the porcelain or highly polished metalon which the deviceis to be positioned.

The mounting 34 is also provided with a suitable snake guide 4B, securedthereto as desired (Figs. 3 and 8), and through which said snake 20is'guided as it is payed out from thedevice into the drain.

To provide for a semi-automatic feed of thel snake 20, the device 42(Fig. 5) is provided, which device preferably comprises a pair ofrelatively movable members 44 having associated therewith in anypreferred Way as by bolts or screws the clamping devices 46, whichareinternally threaded to engage the outer threaded portion of the snake20, a suitable fulcrum 48 being associated with one of the members 44 sothat the other may be fulcrumed thereon, a thumb screw assembly 60,associated with both said members 44 being provided to adjust saidmembers toward and Vaway from each other, the adjustable bolt andlspring means 52 being provided to opposethe movement of said bars. Byadjusting the thumb moans 50, the threat-.ed clamps 46 may be caused toengage the snake 20, so as the framework 4 and casing I4 are rotated,the snake 26 will be fed through the guidev tube 26 and .through theclamps 46, the tool 22 entering the drain as xsaid snake is uncoiled. Byreversing the moverentgof said framework and casing the snake 20 iscoilh and withdrawn from the drain. ,For observatin purposes, the casingI4 may be proeferred number of sight openings 54, which ma be used forWashing the snake and casing.

`It may sometimesA be desired in practice to operatethe snake 20 and itstool\-2.2 manually and directly, without the use of the movableframework 4, as,-for example, when an obstruction in a clogged pipe isencountered, which) it is more ,or less dimcult to dislodge by actuatingthe crank 6 orthe curled portions-III. Tof-this end the manu allyoperable device 56, more particularly shown in Figure 6, may beemployed.

The device 56 comprises apair of adjustable members 66 having cut outand threaded portions matching the external thread of the snake 20, andthe threads of which are adapted to be pressed into engagement with suchthreads of the snake 20 or released from such engagement, suitableplates 51 and screws 66 being provided, whereby the device may betightly detachably clamped and secured to such snake 26 for longitudinaland rotary movement jointly therewithso that the snake may be moved bymeans of such device either rotatably or longitudinally or have bothlongitudinal and rotatory movement impartedv thereto simultaneouslymanually or by means of a tool operating such device.l

In operation, the semi-automatic feed device 42, (Figure 5, moreparticularly) is first rendered inoperative byloosening its parts 46, land 62, which frees the snake from such'semiautomatic device and permitsthe longitudinal movement of the same through the tube or guiding sheathportion 26, without,hindrance. When by grasping the manually Operabledevicewith the hand and rotating the same, together with the snake 20relesably secured thereto, the snake 26 may be suitably manipulated asby reciprocation and rotations. to penetrate the obstruction andotherwise suitably clear the drain of the obstruction. l

It is also desirable in practice that the.frame work 2 may be usedhorizontally as well as vertically. Accordingly, a suitable stand 62,which may be pivoted to the framework 2, vmay be provided, which standmay be rotated on its pivot out of the plane of said framework, andplaced at right angles thereto. 'I'his permits the use of the inventionhorizontally, as, for example, when working below buildings.

In operation when it is desired to feed the snake into a drain or thelike this may be done manually by releasing the clamps 46 and the clamps53 and pulling the snake out by hand whereupon the end 22 may beinserted in the drain. Also the snake -may be fed forwardly into thedrain by rotating the crank 6 in the .proper direction so is desired onemay release the clamps 46 andgrip the clamps 58 by his hand to firmlygrasp the snake between them. He may then, while members.

holding the frame and casing stationary, reciprocate the snake in thedrain.

` In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I havedescribed the principle of operation of my invention together with theapparatus which I now consider to represent the best em' bodimentthereof; but I desire to haveit underciated with one end of each of saidmembers for adjusting said members with respect: to each other on saidfirst mentioned means, and means associated with the other end of eachof said members for opposing the movement of said 2. In a device-of thekind described, a supporting frame having two ends, a shaft rotatablysupported at one end of the frame, a guide journalled Vai; the other endof the frame in'alignment with said shaft, a disc-.like housing, 'meansto support said housing at diametrically opposite points-by said shaftand guide wherebytthe housing may be revolved on a diameter extendingaxially of the shaft and guide, and a plumbers snake ex- Vtendingthrough said guide and into the housing, said housing having an openingin one side and spaced inwardly from its periphery and the guideextending to said opening to lead the snake into the housing.

3. In a device of thekind described, a supporting frame having two ends,a shaft rotatably supported at oneend of the frame, a guide journalledat the other end of the frame in alignment with said shaft, a disc-likehousing, means to support said housingat diametrically opposite pointsby said shaft and guide wherebythe housingmay be revolved on a diameterextending axially of the shaft and guide, and a plumbers snake extendingthrough said guide and into the housing, said housing. having an openingin one side and spaced inwardly from its periphery and the guideextending into said opening to lead the snake into axially of the shaftand guide, and a plumbers snake extending through said guide and intothe housing, said housing having an opening in one side and spacedinwardlyfrom its periphery-and the guide extending into said opening tolead 3 the. snake into the housing, said guidev having the end withinthe housing positioned to lie at an acute angle to a radial lineextending from the center of the housing through" the extremity of theguide.-

5. In a device of the kind described, a supporting frame having twoends, `a shaft rotatably' supported at one end of theframe, a guidejournailed at the other end of the frame in alignment with'said shaft, adisc-like4v housing, means tosupport said housing at 'diametricallyopposite points by said shaft and guide whereby the housing may berevolved on a -diameter extending axially of the shaft and guide, aplumbers snake extending through said guide and into the housing, saidhousinghaving an opening in one side and spaced inwardly from itsperiphery andthe guide extending to said opening to lead the snake intothe housing, said snake having a screw threaded exterior, and a nut onsaid supporting lframle adjacent said guide through which said snake isscrewed whereby rotation of the housing in the frame causes longitudinalmovement of the snake.

6. In a device of the kind described, a supporting frame having twoends, a shaft rotatably supported at one end of the frame, a guidejournalled at the other end of the fram'e in 'alignment with said shaft.a disc-like housing, means to support said' housing'at diametricallyopposite points by said shaft and guide whereby, the housing may berevolved on a diameter extending axially of theshaft and guide, aplumbers snake extending through said guide and into the housing, saidhousing 'having an opening in one `side and spaced inwardly from itsperiphery and the guide extending into said openingto lead the snakeinto the housing, said snake having a screw threaded exterior, and a nuton said supporting frame adjacent said guide through which said snake isscrewed whereby rotation of the housing in the frame causes longitudinalmovement of the'snake.

'7. vIn a device of the kind described, a supporting frame having twoends,y a shaft rotatably supported at one end of the frame, a guidejournalled at the other end of the frame in alignment with saidshaft, adisc-like housing, means to support said housing at diametricallyopposite points by said shaft and guide whereby the housing may berevolved on a diameter `extending axially oi' the shaft and guide, aplumbers snake extending through said guide and into the housing, saidhousing having an opening in one side and spaced inwardly from itsperiphery and the 4guide extending into said opening to lead the snakeinto the housing, said guide having the end within the'housingpositioned to lieat an acute angle to a radial line extending from thecenter of the housing through'the extremity of the guide, said ,snakehaving a screw threaded exterior, and a nut on said supporting frameadjacent said guide through which said snake is screwed whereby rotationof the housing in the frame causes longitudinal movementof the snake. lv

8. 'In a device of the kind described, a supporting frame having twoends, a shaft rotatably supported at one end of the frame, a guidejournalled at the other end of the frame in alignment with said shaft, adisc-like housing, means 1 to support said housing atdiametricallyopposltepoints by said shaft and guide whereby the housingmay be revolved on a diameter extending axially of the shaft and guidefaplumbers snake extending through said guide and'into the housing, saidhousing having an opening in one side and release the snake, and springm'eans urging said nut to close on the snake.

9. In a device of the kind-described, a supporting frame having twoends,` a shaft rotatably supported at one end of the frame, a guidejournalled at the other end of the frame in alignment with said shaft, adisc-like housing, means to support said housingl at diametricallyopposite points by said shaft and guide whereby the housing may berevolved on a diameter extending axially of the shaft and guide, aplumbers snake extending through said guide and into the housing,.saidhousing having an openingl in one side and spaced inwardly from its'periphery and the` guide extending into said opening to lead the snakeinto the housing, saidsnake having a threaded exterior, a split nutcarried by said supporting frame adjacent said guide to grip the snakeand thereby cause longitudinal movement of the snake as the housing isrevolved in the frame, said nut being arranged for manual opening torelease the snake, and spring means urging said nut to close on thesnake.

10. In a device of the kind described, a supporting frame having twoends, a shaft rotatably supported at one end of the frame, a guidejournalled at the other end of the frame in alignment with said shaft, adisc-like housing, means to support Vsaid housing at diametricallyopposite points by said shaft and guide whereby the housing may berevolved on a diameter extending. axially of the shaft and guide, aplumbers snake extending through said guide and into the housing, saidhousing having an opening in one side and spaced inwardly fromitsperiphery and the guide extending into said opening to ,lead the snakeinto the housing, said guide having the end within the housingpositionedto lie at an acute angle to a radial line extending from the center ofthe housing through the extremity of th guide, said snake having athreaded exterior, a split nut carried by said supporting frame adjacentsaid guide to grip the snake and thereby' cause longitudinal movement ofthe snake as the housing isrrevolved in the frame, said nut beingarranged for manual opening-=to release the snake, and spring meansurging said nut to close on the snake.

` 11. In a device of the kind described, an open supporting frame havingtwo ends, a revoluble frame rotatably supported in said supporting frameat opposite ends thereof to revolve on an .axis extending across thesupporting frame,

means whereby the revoluble frame may be rotated on its axis, a stub`shaft carried by the revoluble frame and extending substantially atright angles thereto and a disc like circular housingsubstantiallyaxially rotatably mounted on said shaft, one supportforsaid revoluble frame being tubular to constitute a guide, and a plumbersi snake extending through said guide and into the housing, said housinghaving an opening in one side and spaced inwardly from its periphery andthe guide extending to said opening to lead the snake into the housing.

12. In a'ldevice ofthe kindf-described, an open supporting frame havingtwo ends, a revoluble frame rotatably supported in said 'supportingframe at opposite -ends thereof to revolve on an means whereby therevoluble frame may be rotated on its axis, a stub shaft carried by therevoluble frame and extending substantially at right angles thereto anda disc like circular housing substantially axially rotatably mounted onsaid shaft, one support for said revoluble frame being tubular toconstitute a guide, and a plumbers snake extending through saidl guideand into the housing, said housing having an opening in one side andspaced inwardly from its periphery and the guide extending into saidopening to lead the snake into the housing.

13. In a device of the kind described, an open supporting frame havingtwo ends,.a revoluble frame rotatably supported in said supporting frameat opposite ends thereof to revolve on an axis extending across thesupporting frame, means whereby the revoluble frame may be rotated onits axis, astub shaft carried by the revoluble frame and extendingsubstantially at right angles thereto and a disc like circular housingsubstantially axially rotatably mounted on said shaft, one support forsaid revoluble frame beingl tubular to constitute a guide, and aplumbers snake extending through said guide and into the housing, saidhousing 'having an opening in one side and spaced inwardly from itsperiphery and the guide extending into said opening to'lead the snakeinto the housing, said guide having the end within the housingpositioned to lie at an acute angle to a radial line vextending from thecenter` of the housing through the extremity of the guide. 14. In adevice of the kind described, an open supporting frame having two ends,a revoluble frame rotatably supported in said supporting.

frame at `opposite ends thereof to revolve on an axis extending acrossthe supporting frame, means whereby the revoluble frame may be rotatedon its axis, a. stub shaft carried by the revoluble frame and extendingsubstantially at right angles thereto and a disc like circular housingsubstantially' axially rotatably mounted on said shaft, one support forsaid revoluble frame being tubular to constitute a guide, a plumberssnake extending through said guide and into the housing, said housinghaving an opening in one side and spaced inwardly from its periphery andthe guide extending to said opening to lead the snake into the housing,said snake having a screw threaded exterior, and a nut on saidsupportingy tated on its axis, a stub shaft carried by the revolubleframe and extending substantially at right angles thereto and a disclike circular housing y substantially axially .rotatably mounted on-said shaft, one support for said revoluble frame being tubular toconstitute a guide, a plumbers snake extending through said guide andinto the housing, said housing having an opening in one side and spacedinwardly from its/periphery and the guide extending into said opening tolead the snakel into the housing, said snake having: a screw threadedexterior, and a nut on said supporting frame adjacent said guide throughwhich said axis extending across the supporting iframe,V

Ibeing arranged for manual opening to release snake is screwed wherebyrotation of the housing in the frame causes longitudinal movement of thesnake.

l16. In a device of the kind described, an open supporting frame havingtwo ends,v a revoluble frame rotatably supported in said supportingframe at opposite ends thereof to revolve on'an axis extending acrossthe supporting frame, means whereby the revoluble frame may be rotatedon its axis, -a stub shaft carried by the revoluble frame and extendingsubstantially at right angles thereto and a disc-like circular housingsubstantially axially rotatably mounted on said shaft, one support forsaid revoluble frame being tubular to constitute a guide, a plumber'ssnake extending through said'guide and into the housing, said housinghaving an opening in one sidev and spaced inwardly from its peripheryand the A guide extending -into said opening to lead the snake into thehousing, said guide having the end within the housing Vpositioned to lieat anacute angle to a radial line extending from the center of thehousing through the extremity of the guide, said snake having a screwthreaded exterior, and a nut on said supporting frame through whichsaidsnake is' screwed whereby rotation of the housing in the framecauses longitudinal movement ofthe snake.

17. In a device ef 'the kind described, an opensupporting frame havingtwo ends, a revoluble frame rotatably supported in said supporting frameat opposite ends thereof to revolve on an axis extending across thesupporting frame, means whereby the revoluble frame may be rotated onits axis, a stub shaft carried by the revoluble frame and extendingsubstantially at right angles thereto, and a disc like 'circular housingrotatably mounted on said shaft, one support for said rev-.- olubleframe being tubularto constitute a guide, a plumber's snake extendingthrough said guide and into the housing, said housing havingan openingin one side and spaced inwardly from its periphery. and the guideextending to said A opening to lead the snake into the housing, saidsnake having a threaded exterior, a split nut car-- ried by saidsupporting frame adjacent said guide to grip the snake and thereby causelongitudinal movement of the snake as the housing ls revolved in theframe, said nut being arranged for manual opening to release the snake,and spring means urging said nut to close on the snake.

18. In a device of the kind described, anA open` thereto and a disc likecircular housing substantially axially rotatably mounted on said shaft,one

support for said revoluble frame Abeing tubulai to. constitute a guide,a plumbers snake extending through said guide and into the housing, saidy housing having an opening in one side and spaced inwardly from itsperiphery and the 4guide extending into said opening to lead the snakeinto the housing, said snake having a. threaded exterior, asplit nutcarried by. said supporting frame adjacent said guide to grip the snakea id as the housing is revolvedingthe frame, saidnut oluble frame andextendingsubstantially at right angles theretoand a disc likecircular'housing substantially axially rotatably mounted on said shaft,one support for said'revoluble frame being tubular-to constitute aguide, a plumber's snake ex tending through said guidef and into thehousing, said housing having an opening 'in one side and spacedinwardlyfrom itsperiphejry and the guideextending into said opening to lead thesnakev into-the housing, said guide having the end within the housingpositionedto lie at' an acute anglev v to a radial line extending fromthe center of the 4 housing through the extremityof the guide,.-Saidsnake having a threaded exterior, alsplit nut carried by said:supporting frame adjacent said vguide to grip the snake and therebycause longitudinal movement kofthe snake as the housing is revolved `inthe frame,'said nut .being arranged for manual opening to release't/hesnai-re,l and spring mean urging said nut to close on the snake.

comprising, a substantially circular casing havother end extending outsubstantially radially y from4 saidcircular casing, means at the otherend of the support whereby it and the casing may be revolved about theaxis of the support to rotate the snake, and a resilient and flexibleplumber's 1 snake' extending 1 through. said guide meansto enter thecasingv and coil against its peripheral portion." l

21; A" snake handling and storing implement comprising, a substantiallycircular casing` having an openingin one face spaced inwardly of ltheperiphery of the casing, said casing being substantially of lenticularform andy having a relatively thick central portion and a relativelythin perlpheral'portion, an elongated support forsaid cas' extending`diametrically across the face op ite said opening, a stub axle carriedby said sup rt andfhaving the casingcentrally mounted 'there n for freerevolution, said support having at one end guide means for aplumber'ssnake,I

said guide means at one end terminating adjaoutsubstantially radiallyfrom said circular casing, means at the other end of the support wherebyit and the'casing may'be revolved about the axis of the support torotate the snake, and a resilient andv exible plumber's snake extendingthrough said guide means toV enterthe casing and coil against itsperipheral portion. l thereby cause longitudinal movement of the snaxe fIRA D. vYOHN'.

' Acent said opening and at the'other end extending `3o .20. A snakeAlhandlngand vstoring implement

